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Lend-Lease Heroes

Empire City Decals, 1/72 scale

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number and Description: Empire City Decals, ECD7210, Lend-Lease Heroes.
Scale: 1/72 (also available in 1/48 scale)
Contents and Media: One decal sheet (200mm X 140mm) with markings for eight aircraft and an A5 sized card instruction booklet, all in a zip-lock plastic bag.
Price: USD$14.00 in either scale from Empire City Decals website
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: A diverse group of Russian operated foreign aircraft, all of which are currently available in this scale. Decals printed by Aviprint have excellent colour, good register and minimum carrier film.
Disadvantages: Instructions, although better, could still do with some improvement, especially in plan view.
Recommendation: The six aircraft involved, Aircobra, Spitfire, Hurricane, P-40N, Mitchell and Havoc are all available in 1/72nd scale and this set will make good alternative markings whether you like Russian aircraft or not.


Reviewed by Glen Porter


 HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

 

Empire City Decals have been around for a year or two and although they were not bad when they started, they have been steadily improving with each new set. That having been said, the decals themselves are beyond reproach, printed by Aviprint from the Czech Republic. Instructions still need some improvement before they are up there with the best but as I said above, they are getting better.

There are markings for 8 aircraft, 2 Aircobras (an N and a D), 2 Hurricanes (both Mk. IIs), a Mk.V Spitfire, a P-40N, B-25D Mitchell and an A-20G Havoc.

 

 

All are in US or British colours except for the second Aircobra, the D, which has had the upper colour over-painted with either Aluminium Lacquer or White Distemper. All have had their US or British insignia over-painted and replaced with Red Stars plus artwork. This is pointed out in the instructions along with other notes and it's only the three plan views which are rather small leaving room for improvement. Similarly, it's not obvious from the instructions whether the Spitfire is a VB or VC.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Most decal sheets have some shared markings such as insignia and the like but with this one all markings for all aircraft are present, making it better value for money especially if shared among several modellers. Anyhow, this set is worth having just in case you decide to try something different with that allied aircraft.

Thanks to Empire City Decals for the review samples

Empire City Decals are available online from their website

Review Copyright © 2010 by Glen Porter
Page Created 16 March, 2010
Last updated 16 March, 2010

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